Massive explosion at Ningbo Port in China on YM Mobility

CHINA – An explosion occurred on the boxship YM Mobility at a container terminal in the busy Beilun Port area of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in eastern China.

The blast occurred at around 1:40 p.m. local time on the YM Mobility, a container ship operated by Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp., registered under the Liberian flag. The cause of the accident was initially determined to be an explosion of a container near the bow of the ship, and there were no reports of casualties.

According to timestamps from surveillance footage videos posted online on the media platform X, the explosion occurred around 1:46 pm on Friday. The video first showed a large amount of smoke coming from the ship followed by a huge blast which started a fire and scattered debris. The container was most likely transporting hazardous cargo,  some reports suggesting it to be glycerin.

According to China’s official Xinhua News Agency, the explosion generated a shockwave that was felt up to one kilometre away, causing broken windows and partial ceiling collapses in offices close to the port.

The Ningbo Maritime Search & Rescue Center has started an emergency plan and assigned patrol boats to the scene. 3 fire tugboats & shore-based fire forces were also deployed.

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